Objective To collect data on from previous practices for sustainable rodent control and monitoring of potential rodent infestation. Methods Rodent and flea control measures were implemented for five consecutive years in urban, rural and wild locations since 2005. Bromadiolone baits were deployed in urban areas and the pests were manually captured, holes blocked, aluminium phosphide applied and isolation belts made up of bromadiolone bait sentinels built in the suburb and field areas. Rodent infestation monitoring Results before, during and after the five-year control period were compared. Results The rodent density in the urban area dropped to 0.2% in 2009 from 9.0% five years ago, the Rattus norvegicus density to 0 from 20.0%, the flea infestation rate to 0 from 93.3%, and the index of Xenopsylla cheopis to 0 from 16.27. The previously dominant species disappeared including the vector Xe. cheopis. The rodent density hit a record low this year, since the opening of Alataw Pass with a decrease to 3.0% from 6.0% in the rural controlled area. Meanwhile, the Rhombomys opimus density decreased to 2.3/hm² from 9.0/hm² in positive field spots. Conclusion The current rodent control strategies have effectively eliminated the potential risk of human plague at Alataw Pass. The establishment of a quintuple anti-rodent guard system is discussed for sustainable rodent control and monitoring for potential infestations.

Objective To get an insight into the ecological dynamics of Xenopsylla minax, the main vector of Rhombomys opimus plague for providing data for the prevention and control of the epidemic. Methods Mouse and animal fleas and those in and at the entrances of the holes in the plague surveillance areas of the ports were collected and examined to determine the number of pregnant fleas under microscope, and the dominant flea species collected from the sources month by month in the year were identified and classified with a chart showing the seasonal fluctuation of X. minax. Results It was found that X. minax was not only distributed in the open field and the suburb area, but also in the urban area of the port, accounting for 66.3% of all the fleas collected. It was the main parasitic flea of the R. opimus, and the secondary parasitic flea of many other rodents and variety animals in the area. The peak density of X. minax in mice was observed in April with a flea index of 12.87, and that of free flea in the holes and at the entrances of them in July with a flea index of 1.70. The reproductive period of female X. minax lasted from March to September, with the peak from April to June constituting 68.3% of all the pregnant fleas in the year. Conclusion X. minax is a flea species that can live all the year round in the Chinese frontier port bordering Kazakhstan with multiple hosts and wide distribution. It can be naturally infected with plague bacteria, bite people and suck blood. Good precautions should be taken in the peak periods of mouse fleas and free fleas in and at the entrances of the holes to prevent the plague from occurring among people.

Objective To identify the baseline species composition and distribution patterns of ticks and their parasitic relationships with the host animals at Atlataw Pass, and to monitor the dynamics of border-crossing ticks, providing the basis for identification of alien species and disease transmission. Methods From January to December 2008, ticks were collected manually or by using clothes from livestock, poultry, wild animals, small mammals and caves at plague monitoring sites along Alataw Pass. The predominant populations were monitored for pathogens. Results After one-year investigation, 1780 ticks of 8 species in 5 genera, 1 family were collected, including 334 found on imported cowhide. The predominant species was Hyalomma asiaticum, accounting for 78.8%. These ticks were distributed in each monitoring site except urban areas, and also the ones primarily parasitic on the surface of domestic animals and small mammals. Other common species of tick included Dermacentor niveus, Hy. detritum, Hy. scupense and Haemaphysalis erinacei. The first 3 were mainly seen on the surface of such animals as cattle, sheep, horses and camels, while the other in small animals such as Vormela peregusna and Hemiechinus auritus. Rare species consisted of Ixodes redikorzevi and Rhipicephalus sanguineus, which were mainly found on the surface of wolves and in rat holes. Rh. pumilio was the strange species collected. A total of 334 ticks were detected on imported cowhide. Conclusion The one - year investigation revealed the baseline species composition, distribution and seasonal dynamics of vector ticks and their parasitic relationships with the host animals along Alataw Pass, as well as tick infestation on imported cowhide. This study provided the basis for prevention and control of tick-borne diseases and the spread of this

Objective To determine the current situation and dynamics of rats around Alataw pass areas, providing evidence for early warning, prediction, prevention and control. Methods Fifteen monitoring sites, including different habitats such as downtown, outskirts and natural fields around the Pass, were established using cages, traps and cave detectors. Exoparasites were classified and identified. Blood and organ samples were collected from captured rats for micro determination of F1 antibodies and antigens. Positive results were retested using test tubes. Results A total of 599 small mammals of 13 species belonging to 10 genera, 6 families and 4 orders were captured around the Alataw pass in 2008, the annual average capture rate being 2.8% (0.5% in urban areas, 2.1% in suburban areas and 4.6% in fields). The dominant species was Mus musculus in urban areas, Rhombomys opimus in outskirts and fields. A total of 6050 fleas of 17 species from 12 genera and 6 families were collected, dominated by Xenopsylla minax. 238 ticks and 23 mites were also collected. Serological assays revealed 873 positive samples of F1 antibody and 548 of F1 antigens. Four batches of rodents, one of canine bodies and three of mites were found  in the aboard?passing vehicles, amounting to 338. Conclusion The rat density had reduced to the lowest level around the urban areas of Alataw pass in 2008. R. opimus were the dominant species in the suburbs and fields, mostly mediated by X. minax, indicating that epidemics among R. opimus were still present. A variety of vectors were found entrained in the aboard?passing vehicles, increasing the risk of epidemic transmission.

Objective To observe the life cycle of Xenopsylla minax Jordan, 1926 under laboratory conditions and whether it could suck in human blood or not.  Methods The specimens of X. minax collected from Rhombomys opimus haunting Mayile Mountain valley of Tuli county of Xinjiang were fed on white mice. The life cycle was observed under the conditions of 18-24 ℃ and 70%-90% RH. The two breeding methods, including the common medium method and plate culture of third instar ripe larvae and pupae, were used for the study. The first filial generation adults 1-3 d after emergence with an empty stomach were induced to suck human blood from the anterior arm and ankle skin of 4 volunteeres.  Results It was found that the egg stage was at 10-11 d, the larva stage 18-19 d, the pupa stage 10-12 d, and the pregnancy 2-3 d. 40-45 d was needed   from oviposition of the adults to that of the first filial generation adults. Of the 34 tested fleas （15♂♂，19♀♀） 18♀♀ showed the behavior of sucking human blood, but 15♂♂ and 1♀did not.  Conclusion It took 40-45 d  for X. minax to complete a life cycle under laboratory conditions as stated. Almost all of the female first filial generation adults were able to suck human blood but the males were not.

【Abstract】 Objective To observe the life cycle of  Monopsyllus anisus (Rothschild, 1907) in the laboratory.  Methods M.anisus （6♂♂, 7♀♀） collected from  Rattus  norvegecus in Urumqi were fed with rats, at 24-26 ℃ and RH 80%-90%. The life cycle of fleas was observed by two methods such as common breeding and culture plate rearing. Results The life cycle from parent oviposition to the oviposition of filial generation adults was 20-25 d, including 4 d of egg stage, 8-10 d of larva stage, 5-8 d of pupa stage and pregnancy 3 d.  Conclusion The life cycle of M.anisus was within 20-25 d in the laboratory, which was similar to the report before.